Call to ban smoking while driving

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't know about safety, but I'd think twice about getting into a car with smoker - especially in the back seat. With the window rolled down - the smoke blows back into your face. Its pretty gross.

Mobile phone use while driving is more dangerous and the laws pertaining to it should be more heavily enforced. I've almost been hit a number of times (both as a driver and pedestrian) by drivers who have obviously been using mobile phones without bluetooth or hands-free.

Its always immensely irritating to me after being cut-up by some idiot, or almost run over to see the guy barrel along with his hand up to his ear. Its just downright reckless - and always with other peoples safety.

Couple of years ago our old car (with my wife's parents driving) was T-boned and written off by a woman driving an SUV whilst on the phone, and trying to manage a "pocket dog" she was holding on her lap. That inattention is going to cost us $200-300/month for the next 3 years...

[homesick_american 1]

I don't know about safety, but I'd think twice about getting into a car with smoker - especially in the back seat. With the window rolled down - the smoke blows back into your face. Its pretty gross.

Mobile phone use while driving is more dangerous and the laws pertaining to it should be more heavily enforced. I've almost been hit a number of times (both as a driver and pedestrian) by drivers who have obviously been using mobile phones without bluetooth or hands-free.

Its always immensely irritating to me after being cut-up by some idiot, or almost run over to see the guy barrel along with his hand up to his ear. Its just downright reckless - and always with other peoples safety.

Couple of years ago our old car (with my wife's parents driving) was T-boned and written off by a woman driving an SUV whilst on the phone, and trying to manage a "pocket dog" she was holding on her lap. That inattention is going to cost us $200-300/month for the next 3 years...

Shoulda sued her.

[broma25 2]

As to whether it should be banned or not.....I sit on the fence on this one. On the one hand yes I think it should be, then on the other I know what its like not being able to smoke in buildings etc and sometimes you can't wait to get back in the car for a smoke. Its almost like Big Brother wants to control everything you do!!

That's what bothers me about it. They'd use road cameras to enforce it too, and once you know where the cameras are you can just put your hand in the car and the cigarette isn't visible...hence it's very hard to enforce it, and I don't think the cops will come rushing out if you call 999 and report a case of smoking whilst driving.

I certainly think that those who are putting on make up, reading newspapers are more likely to cause an accident than a smoker.

Agreed, though I think people going 90mph and weaving in and out of lanes on the motorway are more dangerous than anyone. Especially if they're drunk.

I was actually once driving a rental car and was seen by an evironmental worker throwing a cigarette out of the car window. They reported this to someone I dont remember who. Anyway a few weeks later the rental company called me and said a ticket had been issued while I had the car. Of course I denied doing it and never heard anything more.

Just goes to show in the UK Beware you are being observed!!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't know about safety, but I'd think twice about getting into a car with smoker - especially in the back seat. With the window rolled down - the smoke blows back into your face. Its pretty gross.

Mobile phone use while driving is more dangerous and the laws pertaining to it should be more heavily enforced. I've almost been hit a number of times (both as a driver and pedestrian) by drivers who have obviously been using mobile phones without bluetooth or hands-free.

Its always immensely irritating to me after being cut-up by some idiot, or almost run over to see the guy barrel along with his hand up to his ear. Its just downright reckless - and always with other peoples safety.

Couple of years ago our old car (with my wife's parents driving) was T-boned and written off by a woman driving an SUV whilst on the phone, and trying to manage a "pocket dog" she was holding on her lap. That inattention is going to cost us $200-300/month for the next 3 years...

Shoulda sued her.

Suing people isn't actually that easy. The insurance paid out anyway.

[Geist 0]

Can we ban scenery too? I can't count the number of times I have been distracted by trees, squirrels, deer, moose and other interesting things by the side of the road.

What about other drivers? Not only are they distracting to me, but they're the number one cause of highway accidents.

And, while we're at it, how about weather? It's also quite dangerous to drive while weather is occuring.

Ooh, this is a good one: talking and/or listening to the radio while driving should also be banned.

We need safe drivers, after all.

[Sinergy 3]

I just LOVE the freakin freedom in this country. ban this ban that, ban everything!!!! geez!!!

[homesick_american 1]

Suing people isn't actually that easy. The insurance paid out anyway.

Yeah, tell me about it.

It's just so unfair that it costs you extra money but wasn't your fault. I guess that's what insurance is for, but still. How is it costing you money anyway? HER insurance should have paid...or was she not insured...or did yours go up too? I'm not getting how that happened.

[homesick_american 1]

I was actually once driving a rental car and was seen by an evironmental worker throwing a cigarette out of the car window. They reported this to someone I dont remember who. Anyway a few weeks later the rental company called me and said a ticket had been issued while I had the car. Of course I denied doing it and never heard anything more.

That happened here (in the UK)? Jeez...that is scary. You could get popped with a ticket in a rental car in the USA too, but they usually don't bother you for tossing a lit butt out the window unless you start a fire. Then it's ON!

Just goes to show in the UK Beware you are being observed!!!

Yeah...it's sort of scary. There's tons of cameras in the USA too, but here I'm afraid to even scratch my butt in public for fear some Job Centre graduate on £6/hr is sitting in some control room laughing at me.

I just LOVE the freakin freedom in this country. ban this ban that, ban everything!!!! geez!!!

The ban's being suggested in the UK, not the USA. You're safe...for now. Unless you say the words 'Osama bin Laden' during a telephone conversation. Then all your convos are probably taped and sent to some concrete bunker deep in the Blue Ridge mountains.

[broma25 2]

That happened here (in the UK)? Jeez...that is scary. You could get popped with a ticket in a rental car in the USA too, but they usually don't bother you for tossing a lit butt out the window unless you start a fire. Then it's ON!

Just goes to show in the UK Beware you are being observed!!!

Yeah...it's sort of scary. There's tons of cameras in the USA too, but here I'm afraid to even scratch my butt in public for fear some Job Centre graduate on £6/hr is sitting in some control room laughing at me.

Yes that happened in the UK. And I know what you mean about scratching your butt, I was always very aware that someone could be watching me as I fixed my wedgie walking down the street....lol

[homesick_american 1]

Yes that happened in the UK. And I know what you mean about scratching your butt, I was always very aware that someone could be watching me as I fixed my wedgie walking down the street....lol

I wonder if those CCTV watchers have people that they watch every day. It'd be so easy for them to stalk someone.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Suing people isn't actually that easy. The insurance paid out anyway.

Yeah, tell me about it.

It's just so unfair that it costs you extra money but wasn't your fault. I guess that's what insurance is for, but still. How is it costing you money anyway? HER insurance should have paid...or was she not insured...or did yours go up too? I'm not getting how that happened.

Her insurance paid out -but we're still paying for it in the form of a 5 year finance loan on the new car. With depreciation, the car that was written off (which my wife bought new in 2000) was only worth $7000 - enough to cover the rest of the original lease and a down payment on a new (used) car. Currently working on another 5-year loan (about $300 a month). Had the old car not been trashed we would have been all paid off.

Edited May 14, 2007 by erekose

[Scott & Lai 12]

So, how many of the smoking-ban supporters complain about the supposed erosion of liberties in America by such things as the Patriot Act?

[Sinergy 3]

I was actually once driving a rental car and was seen by an evironmental worker throwing a cigarette out of the car window. They reported this to someone I dont remember who. Anyway a few weeks later the rental company called me and said a ticket had been issued while I had the car. Of course I denied doing it and never heard anything more.

That happened here (in the UK)? Jeez...that is scary. You could get popped with a ticket in a rental car in the USA too, but they usually don't bother you for tossing a lit butt out the window unless you start a fire. Then it's ON!

Just goes to show in the UK Beware you are being observed!!!

Yeah...it's sort of scary. There's tons of cameras in the USA too, but here I'm afraid to even scratch my butt in public for fear some Job Centre graduate on £6/hr is sitting in some control room laughing at me.

I just LOVE the freakin freedom in this country. ban this ban that, ban everything!!!! geez!!!

The ban's being suggested in the UK, not the USA. You're safe...for now. Unless you say the words 'Osama bin Laden' during a telephone conversation. Then all your convos are probably taped and sent to some concrete bunker deep in the Blue Ridge mountains.

my bad i read it wrong then

[MissStacey 1]

I smoke- and the first thing I do when I get in the car is light up a cigarette, With the ban on smoking anywhere nowadays, my car is truly my safe haven to enjoy a cigarette in peace.

I don't find smoking and driving that big a risk- I can easily grab one and light up withough having to take my eyes off the road, and I can still hold the steering wheel with both hands if I need to. I like to think that I am a mindful smoker- I don't throw my butts out the widow, I don't smoke if there is a child or non smoker in the car.

When you compare it to other things that people have done while driving- applying makeup, talking on the phone, texting, eating, reading, shaving, etc, I think the risk of smoking compared to some of those is minimal.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So, how many of the smoking-ban supporters complain about the supposed erosion of liberties in America by such things as the Patriot Act?

At best - support for this (in this thread and also in the UK) seems to be very mixed. If we're talking about erosion of civil liberties, whether or not you can smoke cigarettes in your car seems trivial next to having your personal communications subject to scrutiny and being photographed on hidden cameras.

Surprisingly enough - not too many British people are enamoured with the CCTV culture that has sprung up not just in major cities, but in small towns too - especially when it is being used to arbitrarily ticket people for minor things.